Commercial Specialist

Yorkshire Water; Bradford; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

Annual incentive bonus

Wellness day

Life assurance

Job summary

Yorkshire Water is seeking a Commercial Specialist to join the Network Services Commercial Team. The role focuses on managing complex contracts, delivering value, and driving performance in a regulated environment.

You will influence internal and external stakeholders, oversee contract administration, and support procurement in ensuring compliance with regulations while delivering reliable water services across the region.

Qualifications

• A confident commercial leader who can shape and deliver a strategic contract management approach that maximises value for money, strengthens YW performance, and ensures full regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Be a commercial expert providing key commercial advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure robust contract management processes and procedures are put in place, along with the production of accessible and accurate reporting to manage supplier performance.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Contract management

Stakeholder engagement

Contract administration

KPI management

Risk mitigation

Negotiation

Job description

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Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water:

• We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience (£50,663 - £63,329)
• Annual incentive related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• Development opportunities in line with the Commercial Specialist progression plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus an extra wellness day!
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• A great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location: This role will be based in our Leeds Valley Park office - Hybrid Working (1 to 2 days in the office a week)

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Commercial Specialist to join the Network Services Commercial Team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers. Could this be you?

What we do:

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. The Network Services Commercial Team are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators. We’re looking for a commercially driven leader who can confidently manage complex contracts, build strong supplier and stakeholder relationships, and drive outstanding value across multiple frameworks. Someone who brings sharp commercial insight, understands construction contract administration, and excels at managing KPIs, mitigating risk, and resolving challenges with ease. If you thrive in a dynamic environment, influence at all levels, and deliver seamless contract performance, this is the opportunity to make a real impact.

Where you fit in:

As a Commercial Specialist you will:

Providea key role in the delivery of the Networks Commercial Team focusing on all agreements that support the operational running of our Network, from our main NEC term service agreements for clean water and wastewater R&M services through to leakage innovation, metering services or temporary alternative water.Playing a key role in contract management at Yorkshire Water, you will focus on performance commitment delivery, customer experience, and overall business reputation, working collaboratively to outperform against our business targets and performance commitments.

In delivering the role, you will:

• Be a commercial expert providing keycommercial advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensurerobust contract management processes and procedures are put in place, along with the production of accessible andaccuratereporting to manage supplier performance to meet business objectives.
• Support procurement team members in ensuring compliance with theUtilities Contracts Regulations (UCR2016) and Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and Internal Governance, including ensuring robust auditing and delivery of contract obligations.
• Play a key role in making assessments of amounts due in monthly application for payment cycles.
• Support the Commercial Managers in commercial negotiations with tier 1 partners.
• Deliver change control and contract administration assurance.
• Implement supply chain management and procurement support.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• A confident commercial leader who can shape and deliver a strategic contract management approach that maximises value for money, strengthens YW performance, and ensures full regulatory compliance.
• Proven experience delivering high quality commercial contract management within complex, commercially driven environments.
• Able to juggle multiple contracts and frameworks, driving improvements, implementing contract changes, and ensuring robust delivery across the board.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with the presence and influence to build strong relationships across the business and secure successful outcomes.
• Solid understanding of construction contract administration, with the ability to navigate contractual processes confidently.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex KPIs across multiframework environments, ensuring performance, value, and compliance are consistently achieved.
• Commercially astute, able to identify, quantify, and mitigate risk to protect organisational objectives.
• A skilled problem solver with the ability to navigate disputes effectively and reach fair, constructive resolutions.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy! D o we sound like your cup of tea?

All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.